Motherhood can be tough. You are tired, constantly on the go and have very little time to unwind. So it is easy to see why so many mums seek occasional solace in a glass of wine (or two).

Fortunately, having children provides plenty of brilliant excuses to crack open a bottle. Here are a few:

1. The kids went to sleep late so you need to commiserate.

2. The kids went to sleep early so you need to celebrate!

3. You friends come over with their kids. Post-school run = perfectly acceptable time for a drink while your offspring distract each other.

4. It is made from grapes! That is one of your five a day, right?

5. You need to ‘test’ the wine you have convinced yourself you need to put in the dinner. Coq Nugget Au Vin anyone?

6. You are on a rare night out.

7. The kids are being a pain in the arse.

8. It is dinnertime. You are tired and the kids are nagging, crying and hungry. It is a matter of survival.